Anyone Here at TH a Laserphile?

[MacGyver]

hello, just wondering if anybody here at Tapeheads is a Laser Disc fan (besides myself, anyway...) i'd love to know, as my laserphile side get's prettly lonely around here. anyway, i am a rather young laser disc aficinado, with a small collection of around 80/90 discs, half of them my prized LD japanese animation collection, and a self-modified copy of my favorite LD player...




PIONEER CLD-3030 (1988)

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/LA%20SYSTEM/CLD-3030LA9-29-08.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/LA%20SYSTEM/CLD-3030LA9-29-084.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/LA%20SYSTEM/CLD-3030LA9-29-086.jpg


as you may have noticed, it stands higher off the ground than the typical 3030. i replaced the stock medium size PIONEER insulator feet tith a pair of large ones, and removed the thick rubber pads from the rear, replacing them with small size PIONEER insulators. it not only looks better this way, but also more effectively isolates the player and dampens the noise of the mechanical action. there are actually screw holes already present in the proper places on this model, as if PIONEER thought about doing just what i did with them, then decided to cheap out. this is a beautifully-designed player, finally reaching it's full potential...


http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/LA%20SYSTEM/CLD-3030LA9-29-083.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/LA%20SYSTEM/CLD-3030LA9-29-082.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/LA%20SYSTEM/CLD-3030LA9-29-085.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/LA%20SYSTEM/CLD-3030LA9-29-087.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/LA%20SYSTEM/CLD-3030LA9-29-088.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/LA%20SYSTEM/CLD-3030LA9-29-089.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/LA%20SYSTEM/CLD-3030LA9-29-0810.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/LA%20SYSTEM/CLD-3030LA9-29-0811.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/LA%20SYSTEM/CLD-3030LA9-29-0812.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/LA%20SYSTEM/CLD-3030LA9-29-0814.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/LA%20SYSTEM/CLD-3030LA9-29-0816.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/LA%20SYSTEM/CLD-3030LA9-29-0817.jpg

a shot from the japanese animation series "MOLDIVER"

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/LA%20SYSTEM/CLD-3030LA9-29-0815.jpg

[MacGyver]

compare the height differences with my modified 3030 and the CLD-1030, the model directly below the 3030, and the CLD-99S, the japanese market version of the 3030. all three variants have the EXACT same isolator feet and pads as a stock 3030, which are nearly flush with the bottom panel. raising the player only slightest degree off the ground...

CLD-1030 (1988)

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/PIONEER/CLD-1030.jpg

CLD-99S (1987)

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/PIONEER/CLD-99Snekoneko_panikku1.jpg

CLD-3030 (MODIFIED)
http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/LA%20SYSTEM/CLD-3030LA9-29-083.jpg



as you can see, the deck is now raised a full half-inch or so from the rack. looks much more substantial and formidable, IMO...

[MacGyver]

this here is what is generally regarded by laserphiles as the penultimate LD player to end them all. as far as pure performance, probably. as far as looks are concerned however, it smacks me WAY too much of the PIONEER original of that PHASE LINEAR cassette deck clone. definitely a breeze-block toaster oven IMO...


PIONEER LD-X0 (1995)



http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/PIONEER/HLD-X01.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/PIONEER/HLD-X02.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/PIONEER/HLD-X03.jpg

[Eldorado]

I've got good memories of owning a laserdisc player when I lived in Japan in the early 90s. Unfortunately, it wasn't a rental format here, so for renting movies, I had to resort to VHS, which I have no particular affection for.

The bulk of my laserdiscs were music related. My player was a Pioneer, but I can't remember which model. As buying was more expensive than DVDs are today, I only got to around 20 discs before I left the country, at which time I sold off the player and the discs. So sadly my machine never achieved its potential, despite what for the time was stunning picture quality.

I got back into laserdiscs last year because I wanted to watch certain things that haven't yet been released on DVD. Again, these are music related. I picked up a player for 5000 yen (the same shop I got my open reel deck from). I've only got a few discs, around five, but they're all things I particularly wanted, there's no DVD of them, and I've got no interest in having them on videotape (or in owning a VCR ever again).

The player just slots in with the rest of my video system, a projector and DVD player hooked up to an AV amp and stereo speakers (for now - limited room space and opportunity to use the system at night without headphones means that a 5.1 setup is pretty pointless for me at the moment). So only having a few discs is no problem to me, I'll pick up a few more as and when I see things worth having, but realistically, most of it's better if it's available on DVD*. That said, I love the player and the results I get with it on a big screen.

(*There are still some rather surprising omissions. For example, to my knowledge, A Delicate Sound of Thunder is only available on Laserdisc or videotape. You'd think everything by Pink Floyd would be out on DVD by now. Likewise for all major artists, but it seems not.)

My current player: Pioneer CLD R6G. No remote control.

[clhboa]

That used record store I was at yesterday had a fairly large selection of used laserdiscs. The one that caught my eye was "Dazed And Confused". It's one of my favorite movies and I was surprised it was on laser disc. I only have the vhs version. Do they still make these? If not, when did they quit making them? My only experience with them was a kid I went to High School with had one and invited a bunch of the guys over to watch "Risky Business". It was pretty happening by 1983 standards!

[Eldorado]

I don't think any are made still, but a few of the discs I bought are obviously sealed and had never been used, so sometimes "new" discs are still to be had.

[MacGyver]

I don't think any are made still, but a few of the discs I bought are obviously sealed and had never been used, so sometimes "new" discs are still to be had.

the very last laserdiscs ever pressed were japanese releases of "STAR WARS Ep. 1" "THE 6th DAY" and a couple others i don't remember at the moment. the japanese LD market hung on a tad longer than the U.S. one. all LD pressing plants the world over were either shut down, or retooled for DVD manufacture. i believe 2002 was the very last year of LD pressing...

[MacGyver]

oh, and do be careful regarding older factory sealed LDs; the shrink-wrap, well, shrinks over time, and sometimes the resultant tension can warp the edge of the LD contained within. if this happens, place the disc, in it's protective sleeve, but NOT in the outer jacket, between two sheets of glass and place 10lbs. of dead weight (books, etc.) centered on top for a couple days or so. the disc should once again be flat...

[kevinkr]

I have a fairly high end Panasonic LD player (model escapes me) which actually plays both sides of the disk without having to turn it over as well as supporting all of the various LD format options that were ever available. (CLV, CAV, chapter search, analog audio, digital audio, as well as all of the different disk sizes.) I purchased it about 11yrs or so ago, and it has never given me a moment's problem.

Two independent sets of SVIDEO, stereo audio, and composite video outputs.. Optical digital out which only works on cds and laser disks with digital sound tracks. Ridiculously complicated remote.

I've only got 30 or so LD titles some of which I purchased new from an LD club (!) now long gone. I have not duplicated any with dvds.

I generally use my DVD player instead, but if there were a title solely available on LD I would certainly get it in that format.. I have always liked Anime perhaps I should look for it on LD.

[MacGyver]

I have a fairly high end Panasonic LD player (model escapes me) which actually plays both sides of the disk without having to turn it over as well as supporting all of the various LD format options that were ever available. (CLV, CAV, chapter search, analog audio, digital audio, as well as all of the different disk sizes.) I purchased it about 11yrs or so ago, and it has never given me a moment's problem.

Two independent sets of SVIDEO, stereo audio, and composite video outputs.. Optical digital out which only works on cds and laser disks with digital sound tracks. Ridiculously complicated remote.

I've only got 30 or so LD titles some of which I purchased new from an LD club (!) now long gone. I have not duplicated any with dvds.

I generally use my DVD player instead, but if there were a title solely available on LD I would certainly get it in that format.. I have always liked Anime perhaps I should look for it on LD.

indeed you should! many LD anime releases have inserts included with lots of artwork and info that is difficult, if not impossible to find elsewhere! you say that remote is complex? please post a pic of it!!!!

[no1maestro]

I still have several Pioneer and one Sony LDPs. A couple hundred LDs mostly concert and classical titles with some movies thrown in. I still use them along with DVDs and some of my own concerts on VHS.

I am convinced that LD quality is best on some recordings and suffers on others. I still like the larger format of LDs and love the artwork. You aren't as alone as you might have thought!!

[Rex Everything]

Small world it is.

I have a nice Pioneer CLD-3080 LDP and around 28 great movies that I purchased at a garage sale last year. Just so happens I met no1maestro there before we knew we had audio in common.

I am hoping to pick up several concert videos on this format and what ever other great titles I can.

[Eldorado]

If you're interested, I can list a few concerts that I know are not on DVD. It would be short (around five!), so most certainly not exhaustive. I only know of 3 or 4, but I'd be likewise interested to hear of others.

[close652]

There are some LD only Prince live shows (all japanese editions).

[Eldorado]

My last post doesn't really make numerical sense, but anyway here are a few lasers not to be had on DVD.

The Allman Brothers, Live at Great Woods. (This one actually was released on DVD but in an altered version that inserted interview segments throughout the concert. The LD is the version to have.)

Pink Floyd, A Delicate Sound of Thunder

Neil Young, Weld
Neil Young, Unplugged
Neil Young, Solo Trans
Neil Young, The Complex Sessions (*not a concert)
Neil Young, Freedom
Neil Young, Ragged Glory

Grand Funk: At least one concert from the early-mid 70s, but I think several.

Dire Straits, Alchemy Live
Dire Straits, Brothers in Arms

To the best of my knowledge, none of these have been officially released on DVD, but corrections are welcome. Many of these circulate on the Net as torrented DVD conversions. They don't hold a candle to the originals.

[clhboa]

The Allman Bros.-"Live at Great Woods" dvd is kind of a bummer. I guess the ld is the same version as the vhs. What annoys me more than the interviews is they have Dickey Betts and Warren Haynes guitars coming out of the wrong side of the stereo mix. They come out of the opposite side of the stage they are standing on. Very odd.

[clhboa]

A guy at work said he was out at the Army base today and he thought of me because there was some guy set up selling used records etc. He said the guy even had laser discs and a ld player for sale. He didn't get close enough to see how much the guy wanted.

[gamve]

I like the laserdisc format but I admit I have not used mine for ages. The machine is a Denon LA-2500. I have 40 or 50 discs all music concerts no movies. The sound from this format seems to me to be shit loads better than DVD. Anyone know if the sound was full digital (CD quality) cause I think the DVD sound is equiv to MP3. DVD sounds flat and lifeless compared to the laser disc?

[MacGyver]

I like the laserdisc format but I admit I have not used mine for ages. The machine is a Denon LA-2500. I have 40 or 50 discs all music concerts no movies. The sound from this format seems to me to be shit loads better than DVD. Anyone know if the sound was full digital (CD quality) cause I think the DVD sound is equiv to MP3. DVD sounds flat and lifeless compared to the laser disc?


the audio tracks of a DIGITAL SOUND LD are of the EXACT same specifications as redbook CD. uncompressed 16-bit PCM that does indeed walk all over DVD sound...

[Rex Everything]

the audio tracks of a DIGITAL SOUND LD are of the EXACT same specifications as redbook CD. uncompressed 16-bit PCM that does indeed walk all over DVD sound...

And this is exactly why I want to pick up the concert videos on LD.

That Pink Floyd, Delicate Sounds Of Thunder is the main one I'd like to get but there are several others I do want to get.

[MacGyver]

And this is exactly why I want to pick up the concert videos on LD.

That Pink Floyd, Delicate Sounds Of Thunder is the main one I'd like to get but there are several others I do want to get.


and if you get yourself a ROLAND BOSS BR-1180 HD audio recorder, you can make virtually transparent recordings of them to put to CD-R, TAPE or whatever! even if your LD player dies and you perchance have a hard time replacing it, you will still have virtually perfect CD copies of the soundtrack!!


http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/ROLAND/BR-1180CD1.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/ROLAND/BR-11804.jpg



http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/ROLAND/BR-11803.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/ROLAND/BR-11802.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/ROLAND/BR-11801.jpg

[clhboa]

I was talking with a guy at work and he mentioned he had a ld player in his garage. He said it was a Pioneer that played both sides automatically. I asked if he wanted to sell it and ha said he wanted to check if it still worked first. I'm not holding my breath that it's in great shape, when I asked if he had the box or instruction manual he laughed and said "What do you want that for? I'm not even sure I'll be able to find the remote!" He said it was from the late 90's. Here's hoping it's in decent shape and priced cheaply.

[gamve]

And this is exactly why I want to pick up the concert videos on LD.

That Pink Floyd, Delicate Sounds Of Thunder is the main one I'd like to get but there are several others I do want to get.

Lots of luck getting "Delicate sound of thunder" I got mine years ago and it cost an arm and a leg then
Cheers
G

[braxus]

Lots of luck getting "Delicate sound of thunder" I got mine years ago and it cost an arm and a leg then
Cheers
G

Was there a Laserdisc of this from PF? I have the CD of that recording, but didn't know there was a laser.

[Eldorado]

Yes, there was an officially released laserdisc. I don't know why it has never made it to DVD, only that Live at Pompeii and especially PULSE were also unavailable as DVDs for a long time.

If you're interested, you should be able to find a DVD conversion from laser on the Net relatively easily. That's where I got a copy, and I was unaware that the laserdisc is now expensive. But those DVD conversions just aren't the same. Okay as a stopgap, but nothing more.

[gamve]

I have pulse on laserdisk as well. That also took some finding at the right price. I think you will find that Delicate Sound Of Thunder On LD is fairly rare. It took me nearlly two years to get a copy, basically cause the pricing was too high at the time. I ended up paying a lot more for delicate than pulse.
I reckon Pulse is a better shot concert but the performance on Delicate Sound Of Thunder is bloody superb. Must dig the player out and get it going again.

[Eldorado]

I have pulse on laserdisk as well. That also took some finding at the right price. I think you will find that Delicate Sound Of Thunder On LD is fairly rare. It took me nearlly two years to get a copy, basically cause the pricing was too high at the time.

Sold my copy for peanuts in 1992. I hated to see my laserdiscs go, but I was moving and needed the money a lot more than the weight.

[Eldorado]

As luck would have it, I just picked up Delicate Sound of Thunder for 680 yen (under $7). It was my first trip to Tokyo since you posted about this, Gamve, and in the first record store I went to. My friend and I were there on a laserdisc hunt - we found it about ten seconds after we started looking. It seems in Tokyo that the LD bargains are out there, my friends have picked up some incredible stuff at near throwaway prices, but they say you have to get in there quickly. By the end of the day, it's gone.

[MacGyver]

congrats!*thumbsup* bet i could pick up all of the Anime "Mamotte Shugogetten" on LD over there for a song!! lucky stiff...*reelspin**reelspin*

[gamve]

As luck would have it, I just picked up Delicate Sound of Thunder for 680 yen (under $7). It was my first trip to Tokyo since you posted about this, Gamve, and in the first record store I went to. My friend and I were there on a laserdisc hunt - we found it about ten seconds after we started looking. It seems in Tokyo that the LD bargains are out there, my friends have picked up some incredible stuff at near throwaway prices, but they say you have to get in there quickly. By the end of the day, it's gone.

Great deal. Have you watched it yet? This is one of my all time favorites, must have seen it a 100 times. Enjoy

[Eldorado]

congrats!*thumbsup* bet i could pick up all of the Anime "Mamotte Shugogetten" on LD over there for a song!! lucky stiff...*reelspin**reelspin*

Unfortunately, it would be without subtitles, though.

[4tified]

I found this thread WAY late, but I do have a Pioneer CLD-3080 Laserdisc player which is currently under repair. IMHO, the best you can get. It's not an Elite, but it uses similar metal chassis and laser mechanics, very solid. Wish I had a picture. I get the pride you have for your laserdisc player, John. I feel the same way bout mine *thumbsup*

[Eldorado]

Great deal. Have you watched it yet? This is one of my all time favorites, must have seen it a 100 times. Enjoy

Not yet. But as far as whether it's in playable condition goes, it should be fine. I just had a look at it, and I'd say it has never been played. The condition of the disc and packaging both suggest this.

I'm pretty familiar with the video content as well, I watched it dozens of times when I had this disc before. I know I won't have any complaints there, then.

[MacGyver]

I found this thread WAY late, but I do have a Pioneer CLD-3080 Laserdisc player which is currently under repair. IMHO, the best you can get. It's not an Elite, but it uses similar metal chassis and laser mechanics, very solid. Wish I had a picture. I get the pride you have for your laserdisc player, John. I feel the same way bout mine *thumbsup*

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/PIONEER/CLD-308013.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/PIONEER/CLD-3080143.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/PIONEER/CLD-3080RMT1.jpg



http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/PIONEER/CLD-3080132.jpg

http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll310/shaorin-chan/PIONEER/CLD-308011.jpg


cosmetics are too spartan for my personal taste, but it is clearly one of the most competent STANDARD LINE combi-player models nonetheless...

[close652]

http://homar.blog.hu/media/image/200706/ray_charles.jpg